Category: Cherokee

Christopher LeMaster, Jr.
Area Livestock & Forages Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

For many cattle producers, a year’s worth of work can come down to one day.

Across our region, many cow-calf producers market their annual calf crop in the fall, often through a local livestock sale barn. The price those calves bring on sale day can play a major role in determining whether the operation is profitable for the year. Yet producers often leave the sale with a familiar question: Why did some calves bring more than others?

The answer is rarely simple. Cattle buyers consider numerous factors when determining what they are willing to pay, from cattle futures and market conditions to a calf’s frame, muscling, health, and management history. While producers cannot control the market, there are management decisions they can make at home that can influence how buyers value their calves.

Clemson Cooperative Extension partnered with livestock and industry professionals to help producers better understand those decisions through a hands-on cattlemen’s field day focused on what buyers look for and management practices that pay.

A key partner in the program was LeMaster Livestock, an order buyer based in Gaffney, South Carolina, that purchases cattle throughout much of the Southeast. On a slow week, the operation may move approximately 30 loads of calves and routinely bids on cattle at sale barns across a 600-mile radius of South Carolina, in addition to tele-auctions and video auctions. Their experience provided producers with a real-world perspective on the traits buyers evaluate and the management practices they are willing to reward.

Rather than simply talking about those characteristics in a classroom, attendees were able to see them firsthand. Producers evaluated several different loads of calves alongside experienced cattle buyers and discussed the characteristics that influenced the value of each group.

The program then moved chute-side, where participants received hands-on demonstrations of practical management practices that can improve calf marketability, including castration, dehorning, and vaccination. Representatives from animal health and nutrition companies also participated, providing producers an opportunity to learn about products and tools available to support their operations.

The field day drew more than 200 attendees from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Members of the county’s legislative delegation, including Senator Harvey Peeler and Representatives Dennis Moss and Brian Lawson, were also in attendance. Strong participation from producers, sponsors, and industry partners created opportunities for conversations and interaction throughout the program.

Because the field day was recently held, formal evaluation results are still being collected. However, Extension received unsolicited phone calls from participants following the program expressing their appreciation for the event and, in particular, its practical, hands-on approach to learning.

At its core, the field day was an example of farmers helping farmers, facilitated and guided by Extension and industry expertise. By sharing practical knowledge and real-world experience, producers gained a better understanding of what cattle buyers value and management decisions that pay.

Haven Blackwell
4-H Youth & Development Agent
Cherokee

The Cherokee County 4-H Clovers in the Kitchen Cooking Club kicked off the year in September with a fun first meeting. Members rolled up their sleeves, learned how to make Pecan Pie Mini Muffins, and enjoyed spending time together in the kitchen. The tasty recipe was a great way to begin a year of cooking, learning, and trying new things.

The club was also invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Cherokee Flavor Fest, a community-wide celebration held at the Institute of Innovation. Businesses and organizations were invited to set up stations to display and serve their delicious products. Guests could peruse the food tables, visit with local groups, and take part in a silent auction. The event also featured lively entertainment, including singing, line dancing, and clogging.

Clovers in the Kitchen members brought their Pecan Pie Mini Muffins to share with the community. Along with offering a sample of what they had made, members had the opportunity to tell guests about 4-H and the club’s activities. Some members came out for the second night in a row to help share their creation and represent 4-H at the event.

It was a wonderful way for the club to put its new cooking skills to use and connect with the community. Clovers in the Kitchen has started the year strong, and members are looking forward to a great year filled with new recipes, hands-on learning, and opportunities to share what they create.

Heather Nix
Upstate Regional Water Resources Agent
Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, & Spartanburg

Water Chats Webinar Series

The 2026 Water Chats webinar series is happening this fall! The webinars are free and focus on relevant, timely water related topics. Register in advance for each of the upcoming webinars: Water Chats Webinar Registrations. Upcoming topics include Smart Waters: AI & Data Centers and Connected Waters: Conservation & Watershed Planning.

Drought & El Niño

Considering that the past year in SC is the driest September to August in 130 years (since SC started keeping records!), it’s not a surprise that we continue to have low water levels in ponds and reservoirs. The dry weather, accompanied by the prolonged heat has resulted in many people seeing extremely low water levels in ponds. See the recent “Why Are Some Ponds So Low?” blogpost for more information.

While conditions can vary significantly between locations and timing, in the past, strong El Ninos often bring average or above average precipitation to South Carolina over the winter. So hopefully our water supplies will gradually recover this winter. See the State Climatology Office’s El Nino/Southern Oscillation website for more information.

Andy Rollins
Upstate Commercial Horticulture Agent
Cherokee, Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, & York

In Upstate SC, I set up four on-farm tomato demonstrations with varieties coming out of Dr. Dilip Panthee’s NCSU tomato breeding program. Wayne Morgan, a research technician in the program, has been instrumental in getting Dr. Panthee’s varieties into growers’ hands for these demonstrations. The first two plantings in York County were unsuccessful.  More than 50% of the plants died within the first two weeks.  The extreme heat under which they were planted is believed to be the cause of their failure.  The second two, planted approximately 4 weeks later in Spartanburg County and Greenville County, have done well.

On September 14th, we harvested our first demonstration at the Estrada Farm.  We primarily took yield weights for each variety in the field at that time. We also kept ten representative fruit for further evaluation.  After refrigeration, I took the best 6 of the 10 and measured size, weight, pressure, and sugar content for each.  Then, a representative picture is taken of each variety from multiple angles (top, bottom, and side) and also sliced horizontally and vertically to see internal characteristics.  More extensive evaluations are done at the Mountain Horticultural Research Center in Mills River, NC.

There are two replications of nine large, fruited varieties and nine plum type varieties on each farm. There are common varieties, such as Mountain Fresh Plus (standard) that are compared to newer varieties, such as Mountain Defender and Mountain Ruby. Crown is a standard plum type we are comparing to other plum types. We are also looking at many advanced selections in both tomato types. Many of the newer varieties have a heat set gene and seem to have less white tissue spread from the stem ends. These varieties have handled this hot summer better than others.  Many of the new varieties also have a deeper red internal color as well as being meatier than older varieties in general.

Moving into early fall, I will continue to harvest and evaluate the rest of the demonstrations we have left.

Christopher LeMaster, Livestock and Forage Agent, Clemson Extension
Heather Nix, Water Resources Agent, Clemson Extension

It’s hard to believe we’re still talking about drought when you drive around and see lush, green pastures. While we’ve been very fortunate to receive some recent rainfall, you can still see quite a few nearly dry ponds across the landscape. 

Many livestock producers rely on groundwater-fed ponds to provide drinking water for their animals. Several producers have contacted us with concerns that their ponds remain unseasonably dry despite the rain. Some of the recent groundwater maps from the South Carolina Drought Response Committee—including the groundwater drought monitor for August 15–21, 2026—suggest that groundwater levels may still be declining in some parts of the state. 

One possible explanation is that rainfall and groundwater conditions are not always telling the same story. 

This distinction matters because a heavy rainstorm can produce plenty of runoff without fully replenishing groundwater. If the soil is dry or compacted, or if rainfall arrives in a rapid, intense event, much of that water may move quickly into ditches and flow swiftly downstream. It may not soak deeply enough to restore groundwater supplies, which maintain the steady seeps and springs that support healthy ponds and normal streamflow. 

Our rapidly developing areas may also be a contributing factor. As vegetated areas are replaced by roads, rooftops, parking areas, and other impervious surfaces, more rainfall runs off the ground surface and less water can infiltrate into the soil. Over time, that can significantly reduce groundwater recharge and change how water moves through a watershed. 

Many ponds also began the summer below normal after an exceptionally dry fall and winter. High temperatures then increased evaporation rates, accelerating declining water levels further than expected during typical droughts. So even though the landscape looks green again, some water resources are still recovering from the earlier deficit. 

Of course, drought is not the only possible explanation for a low pond. The following questions may help pond owners identify some possible causes: 

• Is there a visible problem with the dam? 
• Are pipes, spillways, and other outfall structures functioning properly? 
• Have any inflowing streams or drainage areas been redirected?
• Has the pond recently been dredged, reshaped, or otherwise disturbed? 
• Has the pond reached similar levels during previous droughts?
• Are there new withdrawals for irrigation, livestock, or other uses? 

What if livestock depend on the pond? 

Low water levels deserve extra attention when livestock rely on a pond, creek, spring, or well. The main considerations are reliability: Is enough clean water available to support a healthy livestock herd? And how long is the water supply likely to last if hot, dry weather returns? Now is a good time to have a backup plan, whether that means supplementing the existing water source or being prepared to move animals to a more reliable source. Keep a close eye on water levels as the season continues. 

Clemson Extension’s publication Livestock Ponds in South Carolina provides additional information about pond water quantity, water quality, and management practices for livestock ponds. 

Livestock need clean water, and water quality is impacted by weather. As a pond becomes smaller and shallower, the water may become warmer and more stagnant. Sediment, nutrients, and other contaminants may also become more concentrated. Livestock traffic around the remaining water can add manure, stir up sediment, and increase erosion. These conditions may increase the risk of problematic algae, including harmful algal blooms. 

For more information about harmful algal blooms and the risks they can pose, see our recent article, “Protecting Your Herd: Managing Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).” 

If the pond develops an unusual odor or color, surface scum, a heavy algae bloom, dead fish, or other noticeable changes, livestock should be kept away until the water can be evaluated. 

Recent rain is good news, and green pastures are encouraging. But rainfall does not always immediately restore groundwater levels or pond levels. For livestock producers, this is a good reminder to pay attention to both the quantity and quality of the water available to their animals. 

In our next newsletter, we’ll discuss ways to improve groundwater infiltration in pastures—and how livestock can be part of the solution rather than the problem. 

CHRISTOPHER LeMASTER, JR.
Area Livestock & Forage Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

Like much of the country, I’ve been thinking a lot about America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Here in Cherokee County, it’s hard not to. We have two nationally significant Revolutionary War battlefields—Cowpens National Battlefield and Kings Mountain National Military Park—right here in our backyard. Add in the recently opened Carolina Rising Museum, which highlights the important role South Carolina’s backcountry played in the Revolution, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about this important chapter of our nation’s history. 

I’ll admit, I’ve forgotten quite a bit since high school U.S. History, but it’s been fun to dive back into one of the most fascinating periods of our nation’s past. Of course, as a farmer and Extension agent, I couldn’t help but become especially interested in the pivotal role agriculture played in America’s fight for independence. 

South Carolina Was an Agricultural Powerhouse 

By the time the Revolution began in 1775, South Carolina had become one of the wealthiest colonies in British North America. That prosperity was built on agriculture. 

Rice and indigo were the colony’s signature cash crops, while timber, naval stores, livestock, and deerskins also contributed to a thriving export economy centered around the Port of Charleston. According to historian Dr. Walter Edgar, this agricultural wealth made South Carolina one of the most valuable colonies in the British Empire (Edgar, South Carolina: A History). 

It’s worth remembering that much of this agricultural wealth was made possible through the knowledge, skill, and labor of enslaved Africans, particularly in the cultivation of rice. Their influence remains evident today in South Carolina’s culture, cuisine, and the historic rice impoundments that now provide valuable wildlife habitat along the coast. 

Why Agriculture Mattered During the Revolution 

The British didn’t simply want to defeat the Continental Army—they wanted to regain one of their richest colonies. 

Agriculture made South Carolina strategically valuable because it provided: 

• Valuable exports like rice and indigo. 

• Food for both British and Patriot armies. 

• Horses, cattle, and other livestock needed to support military campaigns. 

• Timber and naval stores used for construction and transportation. 

Simply put, controlling South Carolina meant controlling valuable agricultural resources—a strategy that was important to both the British and the Americans. 

Armies depended on local food supplies. Livestock was seized. Crops were destroyed. Mills, roads, and river crossings became important military objectives because they controlled the movement of food and supplies. 

A Different Way to Celebrate 250 Years 

As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, it’s worth remembering that our nation’s story wasn’t written only by soldiers and statesmen. 

It was also written by farmers. 

South Carolina’s fields helped build one of Britain’s wealthiest colonies, supported communities during years of conflict, and supplied resources that sustained armies on both sides of the war. Agriculture has always been more than an economic engine—it has been part of our state’s identity from the very beginning. 

One final thought. As I’ve read more about the Revolution, a few things have really stood out to me. First, the cost of independence was immense and brutal in America’s first civil war. These Americans endured hard times, and they were even harder people. My other takeaway is that agriculture has always been a matter of national security. Throughout history, without a secure food supply, no cause can endure. 

HEATHER NIX
Upstate Water Resource Agent

CHRISTOPHER LeMASTER
Area Livestock & Forage Agent

As we move into the warmer months, ensuring cattle have access to fresh, clean water is a primary management concern. Many producers rely on surface water sources; however, this practice introduces risks, most notably Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which can have rapid and fatal consequences for livestock. 

What are Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)? 

 HABs include rapid overgrowths of cyanobacteria (formerly called blue-green algae) in water bodies. Unlike true algae, cyanobacteria can produce toxins that are harmful to humans, pets, and livestock. These blooms may appear as a “spilled paint” scum, pea soup, grass clippings, or thick mats on the water surface and can vary in color from blue to bright green to brownish-red. 

Effects on Cattle 

Cyanobacteria can produce over 1,000 types of poisonous compounds, known as cyanotoxins, which are released when the cells die and rupture. Cyanotoxins can attack the skin, liver, cells, or nervous system and can produce symptoms within minutes, days, or months following exposure. Health impacts depend on specific cyanotoxin(s), concentration, route of exposure (ingestion, contact, etc.), and length of exposure. Symptoms can vary widely, in livestock watch for skin rash or increased sensitivity to sun exposure, diarrhea, weakness, respiratory distress, muscle tremors, premature births, or fetal death.  

Prime Conditions for HAB Growth 

Cyanobacteria thrive when environmental conditions provide a “perfect storm” for growth: 

• Stagnant Water: Still or low-flow water, such as farm ponds or backwater areas. 

• Nutrient Rich: High levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, possibly from fertilizer runoff or direct manure input. 

• Warm Temperatures: Prolonged sunlight and warm water temperatures (above 77ºF) during warm weather. 

How to Monitor for HABs 

In 2025, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) issued its first Recreational Watch after identifying toxin-producing HAB species in Lake Hartwell on April 30th, with the latest Recreational Advisory issued for Lake Thurmond on November 25th. Because of this wide window, producers should regularly inspect ponds and other water sources, especially on the downwind pond edges where wind and waves concentrate the blooms. 

• The Stick Test: If you can lift the algae out of the water with a stick, it is likely non-toxic filamentous algae. If it breaks apart and cannot be lifted or coats the stick like paint, it may be cyanobacteria. 

• The Jar Test: Place a water sample in a clear jar and refrigerate it overnight. If the algae floats to the surface, it is a strong indicator of cyanobacteria. 

• Submit a Sample: A Clemson University lab can confirm identification and provide management recommendations for $20 (in-state); samples can be dropped off at any county Extension office. Results typically take 7-10 business days. See Submitting an Algae Sample for Identification (https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/submitting-an-algae-sample-for-identification/) for more information.  

Action Steps: Response and Recovery 

If you suspect a bloom is present, take immediate action to protect your herd: 

1. Remove Animals (and People): Immediately exclude livestock from the suspected water source using temporary fencing or by moving the herd to a different pasture. 

2. Provide Alternative Water: Ensure animals have access to a clean, reliable supply, such as well water or a municipal source. Note: Be aware that even “clean” sources can become contaminated if equipment (troughs, hoses, or buckets) has been exposed to the bloom. Be sure water (in troughs) is regularly refreshed and thoroughly clean and flush any shared infrastructure. 

3. Report to the Clemson HAB Response Team: Contact your local Livestock or Water Resource Agent immediately. Our statewide response team can assist with rapid sampling and positive identification to determine if the bloom is toxic. Having pictures of the pond (or water source) and a water sample (including potential HAB growth) may be helpful. 

References 

• Do It Yourself: Visual Indicators, Stick Test, and Jar Test for Cyanobacteria. (2022). Nix HB, Hains J, Sahoo D, & White SA. HGIC 1899. Home & Garden Information Center by Clemson Extension. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/do-it-yourself-visual-indicators-stick-test-and-jar-test-for-cyanobacteria/ 

• Harmful Algal Blooms: Prevention, Response, and Avoidance Manual (2023). Nix, H., Sahoo, D., White, S. A., Hains, J., & Busari, I. Clemson Cooperative Extension. https://dc.statelibrary.sc.gov/entities/publication/1daac8c5-90c7-4c58-a1f4-7189188c085a 

• Livestock Ponds in South Carolina. (2023). Davis RH, Nix HB, White SA, & Smith WB. LGP1156. Clemson University Land-Grant Press. https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/livestock-ponds-in-south-carolina/  

• Livestock Water Quality. Clemson University Land-Grant Press. 

• Submitting an Algae Sample for Identification. (2025). Nix HB, Hains J, Williamson M, & Low D. HGIC 1889. Home & Garden Information Center by Clemson Extension. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/submitting-an-algae-sample-for-identification/ 

Photo Credit: Emily Bores, SCDES 

CHRISTOPHER LeMASTER, JR.
Area Livestock & Forage Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, & Union Counties

Yesterday evening while feeding, I noticed a strong, warm breeze blowing from the south. A few minutes later, I spotted a couple of moths and caught one to take a closer look. It turned out not to be a fall armyworm moth, but it did remind me that these warm, humid weather patterns are often favorable for the northward migration of fall armyworm moths from their overwintering areas along the Gulf Coast and farther south. As we move further into summer, now is a good time to begin scouting pastures and hayfields. Early detection remains our best defense against significant damage.  

That doesn’t necessarily mean armyworms are here today, but it does mean it’s time to start paying attention. Early scouting is still our best defense against significant damage in pastures and hayfields. 

PRIME CONDITIONS 

As these weather patterns continue, producers should be on the lookout for signs of armyworm activity and regularly inspect fields for feeding damage and larvae. Clemson Extension recommends scouting during the cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings and evenings. A sweep net is one of the most effective scouting tools, but simply getting down in the forage and looking for larvae can also be effective. 

In addition to finding larvae, watch for signs of feeding damage such as chewed leaf material, ragged leaves, or forage that appears to have a frosted appearance. Producers should also be suspicious of increased bird activity, especially geese or cattle egrets concentrated in a pasture, as they are often feeding on armyworm larvae. 

HANDY WEATHER RESOURCES 

Since I was already thinking about weather, I should mention a resource I have been using quite a bit lately while trying to plan spray applications: agweather.com. The website was developed by Eric Snodgrass, a meteorologist with an agricultural background who has made a significant impact in the agricultural community through his weather analysis and outreach. We had the privilege of hearing him speak at Clemson a few years ago while he was with the University of Illinois, and I have found many of the tools on the website to be useful ever since. 

The site contains more information than I know what to do with, but I have found the local forecasts to be very accurate and especially appreciate the national radar maps. One feature I check frequently before spraying is the hourly forecast, particularly the wind speed and temperature inversion predictions. Those tools can help producers make safer application decisions and reduce the potential for pesticide drift. 

We are not endorsing or representing this website in any way, but it may be a useful resource for some of you as well. 

FOR MORE INFO 

For more detailed scouting and management recommendations, check out Clemson Extension’s blog on fall armyworm management. You can also join us next Friday at 12:00 p.m. for our Fall Armyworm and Bermudagrass Stem Maggot Webinar, where we’ll discuss identification, scouting strategies, treatment thresholds, and management options for the season ahead. 

Christopher LeMaster
Livestock & Forage Agent
Cherokee, Spartanburg, Union Counties

By 9:30 this morning, I had already received three phone calls about sweet vernalgrass taking over fescue pastures. 

On my drive to work, there is a hay field I pass regularly that tells the whole story. The field is a low-input field that is seldom fertilized, and over the last several years I have watched it slowly transition from mostly tall fescue to mostly sweet vernalgrass. 

That change did not happen overnight — and unfortunately, it will not be corrected overnight either. 

What Is Sweet Vernalgrass? 

Sweet vernalgrass was originally introduced as an ornamental grass because of its sweet, vanilla-like smell. Today, most livestock producers consider it a weed because it is simply unproductive. While livestock will graze it, it does not produce the forage volume or quality we expect from a productive fescue stand. 

Sweet vernalgrass also contains coumarin compounds, which are responsible for its characteristic sweet smell. Under certain conditions, particularly in improperly cured or moldy hay, those compounds can be converted by fungi into dicoumarol, a compound that can interfere with normal blood clotting. While this is generally not considered a major concern under normal grazing conditions, poorly cured hay containing high amounts of sweet vernalgrass may present a greater risk. 

Sweet Vernalgrass Is Often a Symptom 

Like many weeds, sweet vernalgrass is often an indicator species. 

When it begins to invade a pasture, it is usually telling us something about the condition of the field: 

• Soil pH may be too low 

• Fertility levels may be lacking 

• Most importantly, the fescue is not healthy enough to compete 

A thick, vigorous stand of tall fescue is the best defense against sweet vernalgrass. Healthy fescue simply does not leave much room for it to spread. 

Why There Is No Easy Fix 

At this point in the season, most sweet vernalgrass has already headed out. Because of that, there is really no benefit to trying to treat it now. 

Additionally, there are currently no labeled herbicides that will selectively remove sweet vernalgrass from a fescue stand without damaging the desirable forage. As is often the case, taking a grass out of a grass crop is difficult. 

That means our focus now needs to shift toward strengthening the fescue stand. 

Focus on Strengthening the Fescue 

As we move into the summer months, we want to place that fescue in the best possible position to survive heat and dry weather stress. Avoid overgrazing or cutting hay too short, as that only weakens the stand further and creates more opportunity for sweet vernalgrass to expand. 

Hopefully, we will receive timely rainfall this fall so producers can take advantage of fall fertility applications and promote strong fall, winter, and spring growth. Improving soil fertility and encouraging vigorous fescue growth will gradually help thicken the stand and improve competition against sweet vernalgrass. 

When Renovation May Be Necessary 

In fields with severe patches of sweet vernalgrass, some producers may consider spot-spraying affected areas with glyphosate during late winter or early spring while the sweet vernalgrass is actively growing and before seedheads emerge. 

Because glyphosate is non-selective, desirable forage in treated areas will also be affected, but in heavily infested patches there may be little productive fescue remaining to preserve. Following treatment, producers can focus on correcting soil fertility and reseeding those areas with desirable forage species during the fall. 

In some situations, producers may also need to evaluate whether partial renovation is enough or if complete renovation of the hayfield would be more effective long-term. 

Are other grassy weeds such as foxtail also becoming a problem? 

Oftentimes, the same low-input fields where sweet vernalgrass begins to gain an advantage on fescue are also the fields where foxtail becomes problematic later in the summer. Like sweet vernalgrass, foxtail presents another challenge because it is a grassy weed growing within a grass crop, leaving producers with limited herbicide options. 

When multiple grassy weeds are becoming established and desirable forage stands continue to thin, a complete renovation may sometimes be the most practical and economical long-term solution. 

Every Field Is Different 

There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for sweet vernalgrass management. 

Renovation can be expensive, but continuing to manage a low-producing hayfield also carries a significant cost over time in reduced forage production and hay quality. 

Producers who are dealing with sweet vernalgrass issues are encouraged to contact their local Extension office so we can evaluate the situation on a case-by-case basis and discuss the most practical and economical options for their operation. 

Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet for sweet vernalgrass control. Long-term management comes back to the basics: proper fertility and maintaining a dense, healthy stand of fescue. 

CHRISTOPHER LeMASTER JR, Clemson Extension Livestock & Forages Agent 

After a dry spring, many producers are asking the same question: how do we make up lost forage? 

For a lot of operations this year, the answer is summer annuals. 

Why summer annuals? 

Summer annuals are fast-growing, high-quality forages that can help fill gaps when perennial systems fall short. In the Southeast, they’re typically planted from April through June and can be used for grazing, baleage, or hay. 

Under good conditions, they can produce 5,000 to 10,000 pounds per acre with 15%+ crude protein—a strong option coming out of a poor spring. They are an excellent alternative to the increased risk of fescue toxicity across the summer months. Of course, that still depends on rainfall and management. 

Even with risk, farmers are planting. 

This isn’t a low-risk move. 

Ongoing drought, elevated fuel and fertilizer prices make this a difficult decision. After looking at several extension enterprise budgets, some summer annuals could easily land in the $200/acre ballpark. However, doing nothing has a cost too! 

Start with your goal. 

Before planting, think about what you need most: 

• Dry hay – Possible, but challenging due to thick stems. Higher seeding rates and a mower conditioner can help. 

• Baleage – Strong option for hard-to-dry crops. Ensilation can also decrease nitrates 

• Grazing – A great way to stretch forage, improve cattle performance, and give Fescue pastures a break heading into fall and punch through the summer slump. 

Don’t overlook mixtures. 

Mixtures are getting more attention—and for good reason. 

Adding legumes can: 

• Reduce nitrogen needs 

• Maintain yield and quality 

• Improve soil health and resilience 

They can also help buffer against drought and extend the grazing season. Just keep in mind that herbicide options may be more limited. 

A quick word on risk 

Not all summer annuals handle stress the same. 

• Pearl millet offers good drought tolerance and avoids prussic acid risk (though nitrates are still possible). 

• Sorghum and sorghum-sudan can be high-yielding but require careful management due to prussic acid and nitrate concerns. 

• Crabgrass performs well but needs consistent moisture 

Final thoughts 

Summer annuals aren’t a silver bullet—but they can help bridge the forage gap after a dry spring. 

This isn’t an exhaustive list—just a starting point. 

If you’re trying to decide what fits your operation, reach out or check out our other forage resources. We’re happy to help you think through your options. 

Planning warm-season forages planting

Summer annual forages options for South Carolina

Summer annuals enhance Southeastern pastures